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Monday, January 30, 2006

Thaddeus Young had an off-night the other night, only scoring 19 points on 6-11 shooting, but helping his team beat Boliver 69-67. This is the team with Willie Kemp (Memphis) and Wayne Chism (Tenn). Oh yeah, Young also had 10 rebounds, 7 steals, 3 assists and about 5 blocks on the game televised on ESPNU. How about this nice online highlight clip compilation.

On a different note, Jodie Meeks had this to say about Gani Lawal picking Georgia Tech over Kentucky.

UK recruit Jodie Meeks pitched the Cats to his more celebrated high school teammate, Gani Lawal. But Lawal, a junior, committed to Georgia Tech over Kentucky and Wake Forest last week.

"I'm happy for him," Meeks said. "I'm happy he found the place that's best for him. That's all you can ask for."

Meeks and Lawal play for Norcross (Ga.) High School.

Lawal, a straight-A student, cited Georgia Tech's academic standing and the prestige of playing in the ACC as reasons for his commitment.

If you remember, Meeks had some interest in Georgia Tech but ended up at Kentucky when team needs pushed Paul Hewitt to focus on only one guard in this class - which of course ended up being Javaris Crittenton. Meeks and Lawal are high school teammates and it's good to see these guys support one another in their decisions.

Speaking of recruiting, check out this outstanding article on Coach Hewitt and how he has elavated his level of recruiting at Tech..........

Well, I'm down in Orlando for a sales meeting this week. Didn't get a chance to see or listen to the game, but by all accounts the team played decent and battled the entire way on the road before falling 66-64. Nice to see Sean Dickey playing another very good ballgame. Nice to see Lewis Clinch finding himself. Now, as the saying goes - if we can get those guys firing on all cylinders at the same time as A-Mo, Jeremis Smith and Buck Fredrick then we just might have something.

Sunday, January 29, 2006

Ran across this article from ESPN detailing the hiring of a new head basketball coach at Georgia Tech - some guy named Paul Hewitt

Hewitt replaces Cremins at Tech

ATLANTA -- Mirroring a move that occurred 19 years ago, Georgia Tech has turned to a relatively unknown coach to rebuild its basketball program.

Siena coach Paul Hewitt was introduced Thursday as Bobby Cremins' replacement at Georgia Tech -- where he becomes the Yellow Jackets' first black coach. Hewitt had told ESPN.com's Andy Katz on Wednesday that he was accepting the job.

"There are very few places I can imagine are better for me," Hewitt said. "Today a dream has come true for me and my family."

Hewitt, who signed a five-year deal, was 67-27 in three years at Siena.

"We were looking for a coach who is a great recruiter, a very good communicator and an excellent teacher," said Georgia Tech athletic director Dave Braine. "Paul fits all three of these qualifications very well."

Hewitt, 36, a former assistant at Villanova and Fordham, is known as a strong recruiter and favors a running, up-tempo style popular with fans. Siena averaged more than 6,500 per game over the last two years to lead the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in attendance.

"I feel like I'm very prepared to take the job," Hewitt said today. "I expect to win next year. I have high expectations."

Braine said Hewitt "coaches an exciting brand of basketball, and he feels confident in being able to bring people back into our coliseum and recreate the Thrillerdome atmosphere of the 1980s and early '90s."

Former Southern Cal coach George Raveling, who Hewitt worked under at USC, told ESPN that Braine said he was "blown away" by Hewitt. Braine told Raveling that he saw Hewitt as another Tommy Amaker, the successful young Seton Hall coach.

Hewitt rebuilt a Siena program that went 23-59 in the three years before he arrived. His contract at the Loudonville, N.Y., school runs through the 2002-03 season, but includes a buyout provision that allowed him to take the Georgia Tech job.

Cremins was a 33-year-old coach at tiny Appalachian State when Georgia Tech hired him as coach in 1981. He pushed the Yellow Jackets to national prominence, recruiting such players as Mark Price, John Salley, Kenny Anderson, Dennis Scott and Stephon Marbury -- who all went on to the NBA.

Under Cremins, Tech went to the NCAA Tournament nine years in a row and 10 times overall, including the 1990 Final Four. The Yellow Jackets fell on hard times during the latter stages of Cremins' 19-year tenure, reaching the tournament only once the last seven seasons.

At Siena, meanwhile, Hewitt guided the Saints to the NCAA tournament in 1999, its first appearance in 10 years. The Saints finished 24-9 this year, losing to Penn State in the second round of the NIT.

Hewitt takes over a program that has fallen to the bottom of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Yellow Jackets (13-17) will lose Jason Collier, their top scorer and rebounder, and shot-blocking center Alvin Jones may enter the NBA draft a year early.

Cremins announced Feb. 18 that he would not return, saying the Tech program needed a new direction. He accepted $1.5 million to buy out the final three years of his contract.

Hewitt was a late entry into the coaching search after higher-profile candidates Leonard Hamilton of Miami and Bill Self of Tulsa agreed to contract extensions.

Among the others mentioned as candidates for the Tech job were Appalachian State's Buzz Peterson, Delaware's Mike Brey and Dayton's Oliver Purnell.

Yes, Georgia Tech has academic restrictions for incoming student-athletes. Yes, we have entrance requirements higher than NCAA standards. Yes, the entrance requirements are higher than most other NCAA schools. However, the Orlando Sentinel thinks it's not as grand a difference as you might want to believe. They essentially say that we are the 3rd toughest ACC school to get into behind Wake Forest and Duke. and with a "7" ranking in overall difficulty getting in, they have us "equal" to Michigan, Penn State, Texas, Missouri, Notre Dame, and yes........... Georgia.

Now, first of all I disagree with their number ranking of Georgia Tech. Georgia has a continuous pipeline of prep recruits who couldn't get in with heading to some military academy. However, there is a kernal of truth in their rankings, but they only address part of the point.

The main point is not that Georgia Tech is one of the hardest schools to get IN. The point is that:

1. Georgia Tech is one of the hardest schools to get OUT. Therefore you have to recruit kids who can do the work and have to discipline to succeed. Yes, they get excellent academic support, but they still have to work hard. There's no cake-walk at Tech. You earn that degree.

2. Tech has a recruiting disadvantage because of the lack of majors offered. The latest casualty was a 300+ lb offensive lineman (Heath Batchelor), who committed but later found out we didn't offer his major and changed his loyalty to South Carolina. That's a fact of life at Tech. Some kids won't find what they want academically here.

So just "getting in" is only a small part of the picture. There are other elements that make Tech a challenge when it comes to attracting top level talent. It takes VERY special kids to play at Tech - period!!!

Didn't see the game, but Gerris Wilkinson was named the South team's defensive MVP at the 2006 edition of the Senior Bowl. Way to go Gerris!....... "Hey Gerris, now that you've won the MVP of the senior bowl, where are you going to celebrate?".......... Gerris - "I'm going to Disney....... errrr, the NFL baby!"

4. Georgia Tech – Looking for an inimitable and distinct college football setting? Bobby Dodd Stadium at historic Grant Field is dripping with history and tradition. First and foremost, the stadium is the oldest on-campus facility in all of 1-A college football. Grant Field was built in 1913 – and it’s been cattycornered amongst Atlanta skyscrapers ever since. Georgia Tech isn’t home to the biggest stadium, thought recent expansion has pushed capacity to 55,000, but you can’t place a limit on much else. From the right seat in Bobby Dodd, you can see most of Atlanta; from any seat, you can see the city skyline. It’s rare scene, one unlike any other in college football. Georgia Tech fans are knowledgeable and refined. Tailgating is more high-class, though a trip to The Varsity is never beneath them and the whole atmosphere simply has a more polished, professional feel. The pre-game entrance of the Ramblin’ Wreck, a restored 1930 Ford Model A, sends the Georgia Tech band into a rendition of perhaps the most famous fight song in college football and sets the stage for the team’s run onto the field. With so many great teams and legendary names having played at Grant Field, it’s tough not to get caught reminiscing. Better bring your best game, too. The Yellow Jackets once beat an opponent 222-0 at this field.

"The thing about Georgia Tech, no one has more respect for Paul Hewitt and what he does for this program and the way his kids play, than me. I've gotten to know Paul since he's been in the league, and that's going to be a very good basketball team, it's just a matter of when. When you look at who left here last year, the great players who were a part of the Final Four team, I just think they are very close to being a good basketball team.

"This is a great win for us, because of the respect that I have and our players have for Georgia Tech."

In case you didn't know, Gary Williams and Paul Hewitt have developed a tight relationship since Hewitt came into the league. Williams helped Hewitt out when he first got here and you'll never hear these two guys say anything bad about each other. Of course these two guys might be the poster-boys for breaking up the tobacco-road cartel. Fight the power!!!

It's official - Top 20 recruit (5-star) Gani Lawal, from the class of 2007 has committed to the Georgia Tech YellowJackets. Rivals ranks him #19 in the nation and Scout.com #14 overall. Gani is an outstanding student (4.0 GPA), very athletic, and a hard worker. He has been described as a very coachable, likeable young man. He's 6'8" 205lb, very talented with excellent skills. He's been compared to Chris Bosh in the past, but he is certainly not as polished as Bosh coming into college and doesn't have the range on his shot like Bosh did. His potential is certainly way up there though. He's a very good inside player, although not as strong with his back to the basket. He needs to gain strength but has a soft touch around the hoop. Personally, I project Lawal as a 3 year type guy, but who knows. He's a hard worker.

Welcome aboard Gani. You made the right choice.

On a side note, this is the earliest Coach Hewitt has ever received a verbal. I believe Alade Aminu was the previous earliest. It appears that Coach is steadily climbing the ladder in terms of consistently bringing in better and better players. Look for the Jackets to now go after a Point Guard and/or a small forward to round out the class of 2007. Evidently the class of 2008 is shaping up to be another huge haul if things play out. Of course, there's some basketball to play WAY before we get that far.

That COULD be a quote from Oklahoma State's Eddie Sutton. Does this situation sound somewhat familiar?

- a team that went to the Final Four two years ago- lost 7 seniors from last year's squad- lost 85.6% of their points from last season- lost 87.6% of their rebounds from last season- the Head Coach has the youngest team in his coaching history- starting 3 freshman- struggling to win games.

What's the old saying - "youth is wasted on the young". Well, there is something to the fact that guys have to learn how to play Div I, ACC caliber hoops. There is something to the fact that players have to learn to be leaders and develop a team chemistry on the floor. There is something to the fact that team play matters more than individual play, so when you put a bunch of guys who were "the man" in high school, they have to learn what it means to play a role.

Read this article, and you'll realize that what this team is going through should be expected - even if we didn't want it to happen. Some Quotes:

"When you start three freshmen in this league, you're asking for problems. You watch them grow and mature, and it's fun. But it takes time."

"You get spoiled having the team we had the last couple of seasons," Sean Sutton said. "He's enjoyed these players, but they've tested his patience. He gets frustrated by the mistakes and having to repeat himself over and over."

The only starter who was on campus last year is guard JamesOn Curry. But he's just a sophomore and struggling to make the transition from the fourth scoring option to the first — a painful process, as evidenced by his misadventures at the end of regulation and in overtime against the senior-laden Buffaloes.

Curry rushed a three-point try with seven seconds left in regulation. At the end of overtime, he opted to throw an ill-advised pass to unsuspecting freshman guard Terrel Harris on the wing rather than take the ball to the basket.

The errant pass was one of three "no-excuse turnovers that were costly" to the Cowboys down the stretch, Sean Sutton said.

And it's what happens when a lineup is bloated with newcomers. These Cowboys are ridiculously athletic and certainly not without skill — some national services ranked them the top class in the country. But they still are the heart of a roster glaringly lacking in even a smattering of veteran stability, especially with junior David Monds and sophomore Marcus Dove battling injuries.

Read that last paragraph again and just accept that the performance curve is going to be like a kid learning to drive - lots of quick stops and starts, a lot of jerking and jolting and it ain't gonna be smooth. But everyone once in awhile we're going to see a little "Mario Andretti" in this group.

I'll root for this team with fire and passion no matter how many games they win or lose. This is a great bunch of players and more importantly people. This team may have weaknesses, but they've got character.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Is it me, or is it a coincidence that NCST, Wake Forest, Clemson and now Maryland played "their best 40 minutes" of basketball against the Jackets? The Jackets drop another home contest to the Maryland Terps tonight in yet another game that wasn't really close, losing 86-74.

Not really sure what to say. To be honest, I've lost my hard edge when it comes to judging this team's play. I said it would be a roller-coaster and I warned you not to get your hopes up too quickly. However, it's what we all wanted more than anything. But alas, the coaster must come down.

Youth and inexperience is not an excuse, but here's what it is - FACT. They play like a group that is very disjointed on the offensive side of the ball for long stretches. It is obvious they are learning how to play together as team. There is some outstanding individual talent here. Possibly the best group in terms of potential in a long time. They are very active on defense but often undisciplined. They go through stretches losing their fire and drive and lately the pattern is to turn up the heat once their goose has already been cooked. They just don't understand yet the intensity required to play night-in and night-out in the ACC. Patience my friends.

There's another side to this that needs to be said. I have not been overly impressed with coaching staff's ability to make in-game adjustments. Clemson switches up their defense, we go stale and never adjust. Clemson decides - heck - we'll keep playing the zone and overplaying the passers. The in-game adjustments have not been impressive of late. Even games where we were leading we let teams get back in it.

So there's work to do. The NCAA tourney looks like a distant galaxy right now. Tech is the only ACC team without double figure victories, as we're stuck on 9. We're 2-4 in the conference with 2 home losses and no road victories. There's still plenty of basketball to play, and there's plenty of room for improvement. You can see the talent. It's there - individually. More coaching, more practice and I think we'll see progress.

Honestly, I'm not down on these guys at all. We all tended to agree that .500 in the conference was a stretch. So that's playing out. Stick with'em. Keep cheering them on and let's see what this group can pull out their hat.

It is not wrong to say that the most important job of an Athletic Director is hiring. The AD that can hire the right people to run the various athletic programs is ultimately going to enjoy the most success. Now, I am still not convinced that Bill Curry is the right guy for the job. With that in mind, I'm curious about the "hiring tree" from Bill Curry's past. In theory, if he had a strong ability in hiring, it would show up with his "disciples" running programs of their own. I don't have the info, but I would appreciate your help in putting it together. So, who worked under Bill Curry that went on to a prominant coaching career with another program - then succeeded or failed? It doesn't really matter how long they worked for him. Just the fact that he hired them is what matters.

While we're at it - how about the hiring tree for Bobby Cremins. Some names that come to mind are Sherm Dillard who did not pan out at Jacksonville and was replaced by another GT guy - Dean Keener. Also, Perry Clark is another former Cremins assistant who went on to an unsuccesful coaching stint at Miami. In Coach Hewitt's short coaching career he already has 3 former assistants running their own programs, which is impressive. Of course their resumes as head coaches are just starting.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

It's not official publicly, but it's getting that way. Looks like Geoff Collins is taking over as recruiting coordinator for the Jackets, leaving Western Carolina, where he is currently the defensive coordinator / asst coach / secondary.

Geoff Collins, like head coach Kent Briggs, returned to his alma mater WCU as defensive coordinator in 2002 after three seasons at Georgia Tech. In addition to his role as coordinator, Collins will oversee the defensive backs.

Over his tenure at Western, the Catamount defense has shown steady improvement. In 2002, Collins helped Ahmed Green earn first team All-Southern Conference, while defensive end Michale Spicer was tabbed All-American.

In 2003, under Collins' direction, the Catamount defense emerged as one of the best in the nation. Despite playing two NCAA Division I teams and three of the I-AA top 15 rushing teams, Western led the SoCon in rushing defense for the first time since joining the league in 1976, while ranking 14th nationally. A further look in side the numbers show Western only allowed opponents to gain 2.65 yards per rush, which was the fourth-lowest total in the nation. What makes that feat even more impressive is that the Catamount defense suffered three season-ending injuries to starting defense backs, forcing players to play multiple positions and forcing true freshman defensive backs Mitchell Dukes and Ryan Nesby to contribute early and often. Three Catamount defenders earned All-SoCon that season, including defensive ends Nick McNeil (first team)and Spicer (first team) as well as linebacker Rod Dunlap.

In 2004, Western Carolina's defense only allowed 301.91 yards per game to end the season ranked 12th nationally, which is the school's highest ever national ranking at season's end. In addition, Western ranked 15th in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 163.64 yards per game. It marked the first time since 2001 WCU was ranked among the nation's top 20 in pass defense. While Western slipped to 41st nationally against the run, allowing just 138.27 yards per game, the Cats held the four of nation's top rushing teams a combined 118.5 yards below their season average, including Georgia Southern (first in I-AA), Wofford (second in I-AA), Nicholls State (10th in I-AA) and Furman (14th in I-AA). In addition to tackle Albert Reid earning first team All-SoCon honors, defensive backs Primus Glover and Bruce Lee were named to the all-league team.

Collins spent the 2001 season as the Yellow Jackets tight ends coach after two years (1999-2000) with the Rambling Wreck as a graduate assistant. In his final year at Georgia Tech, Collins helped tight end Russell Matvay post career highs with 22 receptions for 245 yards.

Before Tech, Collins spent two years as the defensive coordinator and linebackers and secondary coach at Albright College in Reading, Pa. In 1997, the NCAA Division III program boasted the leading defense in its conference and ranked in the top 10 nationally in all defensive categories, while in 1998 the Lions' defense ranked among the top three in their league. In 1996, Collins served as an assistant coach at Fordham University, working with the outside linebackers while also serving as the junior varsity defensive coordinator. He also spent one season (1995) as an assistant coach at Franklin (N.C.) High School while student teaching in the Macon County Public Schools.

Collins tallied 194 tackles as an outside linebacker and defensive back for the Catamounts from 1989-92. He was the team's fifth leading tackler as a junior with 68, while registering six tackles for losses. As a senior, he helped Western to a 7-4 record, logging 62 total hits and five tackles for losses. He began his coaching career as a student assistant on the Western Carolina staff in 1993, when the Catamounts were the preseason No. 1 team in NCAA Division I-AA.

A native of Conyers, Ga., who attended Rockdale County High School, Collins earned a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina in Sport Management and Exercise Science in 1994 and then completed the Education curriculum in 1995. He did postgraduate work in psychology at Fordham University and Georgia Tech.

He is married to the former Jennifer Haynes, who is also a Western Carolina graduate.

Pretty impressive credentials actually. Now, here's my take - you're looking at the possible future successor to Jon Tenuta as DC when he takes a head coaching job. It may not be this off-season, but it will happen and when it does - this guy will be on the short list. After all, why would anyone take a job as a recruiting coordinator only when you are currently a defensive coordinator? Has to be a hint of a promise of a future if you ask me.

Here's the good thing - all indications are that Collins is an OUTSTANDING recruiter. Very aggressive, very persistant and has the personal touch. Student-athletes that were recruited by him seem to have very positive things to say about their experience. So all-in-all this seems to be a great move in a very much needed area - recruiting.

Well, we're going to know who coaches in the coaches poll voted for. We're going to know which schools graduated how many players and which schools have their athletes on course to graduate. Now the NCAA is going to make the hoops RPI data available on a weekly basis starting next week. So transparency is in, except of course when it comes to how they decide which programs get what penalties for their transgressions. In that case it's murkier than a mud-hole swamp on a foggy night.

James Butler – The Giants defensive diamond in the rough, the rookie free agent played in all 16 games and even started one. He finished with 18 tackles and a couple of picks, which is quite impressive on an INT-starved club. He might just find himself in the starting lineup next season. Grade: B

Evidently we've offered a kicker - Clay Baldwin. Also, it's not a done deal that Demaryius Thomas has switched his verbal to Steve Spurrier. Still could happen, but Thomas is still planning on signing with the Jackets for now............... In the "are you kidding me" file, check out why M.Richardson didn't commit to the Jackets:

Back before you committed to Notre Dame, there was speculation that you would begiving Georgia Tech a verbal commitment. Is this true? "Yes sir, I was ready to call them and commit to Georgia Tech. I liked the school and I like Atlanta plus Calvin Johnson is my cousin and I would have a chance to play at least one year with him. It was falling into place for me."

What happened to change your mind? "Well, I looked at the situation of being so close to home. If something happened, I couldn't have a chance to learn from any mistake on my own. I would have someone so close that they would be there so quick. I would never have the chance to learn on my own and become a mature, grown man on my own. There's nothing wrong with having family close to help you, in fact it's great but there is something special about making your own decisions and working out problems for yourself. Still, if things get too tough, Atlanta still isn'tthat far from Notre Dame."

UPDATEMy loyal readers have spoken and properly reprimanded me for this post. I basically questioned Mo's thought process and used Tashard Choice's decision to come back home as a reason to suggest leaving to "be on your own" is not a great reason. They are right - I am wrong - these kids need to decide their own destiny and going away to school is just as honorable as staying home. To each his own. To my readers - thanks for keeping me on the straight and narrow. And to Mo Richardson - all the best to you at Notre Dame. We'll see you real quick when we clash to start the 2006 season.

Interesting post over at the Hive about the relationship between recruiting class talent and on the court success in hoops......... Here's a ranking of the top hoops recruiting classes of 2001 from Scout.com. Now, here was the interesting comment:

When you look at the top10 on that list.

Their freshman year, they accounted for 1 of the 4 final four participants (and a national Championship).

Their sophomore year, they accounted for 2 of the final four participants (and a national runner up... us)

Their junior year, they accounted for all four of the final four participants.

Sorry I've been out of action for awhile. Things are busy as my family prepares to sell our house and move to the frigid north of Albany NY. Too bad that when I get there Brad Sheehan will be heading away from Albany and down to the ATL. Well, only bad for me - not for Jacket fans, who have much to look forward to..........

"I'm not really concerend about [scoring 20 or 30 points each night]. It's much more important to me to have a complete game - scoring, rebounding, blocks, assists. I'm not really happy if I score 30 points and have 2 rebounds and 2 blocks. I just aim to have rounded out stats. Besides, I know that if I ever have an off night [scoring], we have a lot of guys around me who can score and pick it up."

"My personality is pretty drawnback and sort of withheld," Sheehan says calmly. "Controlling your emotions during the game - not getting too high when things are going well and too low they are going badly - is a big part of basketball. Getting through the bad parts and being able to keep the strong runs going."

"It was good to see that people had noticed me and had seen what I could do. I guess I wasn't completely sure [that I was ACC material] until Coach Boeheim [of Syracuse] and Coach Hewitt [Georgia Tech] showed up and started talking to me about scholarships. It was just the realization that I really was good and that I really could play at that level. That I was important enough to them that they would come sit in my living room for two hours and tell me why I should play for them."

"I'm a good student," he says, with much more pride than most high schoolers have in that fact, "and the colleges knew that. It's one thing that attracted them to me. And it's one thing that my mom was really focused on, going to a good academic school."

Unlike Perkins or Cain, Sheehan made his decision - Georgia Tech - during the early signing period, ending the possibility of the Shaker gym turning into the second home of various famous college coaches this winter, as it had in 1980 and 1981. Nevertheless, Coach Hewitt dropped in for the Columbia game a few weeks back to check on his recruit.

"It definitely pumped me up to play in front of him. Just to show him how much more I've developed since he saw me over the summer. I wasn't really nervous, it was more of an excitement, it gave the whole team a lot of excitement to be playing in front of a coach that knows a lot of people. If they play well he might mention their name to somebody else and help them get to play in college."

And Sheehan was definitely able to show Hewitt a thing or two. He scored 28 points, grabbed about a dozen rebounds, and had 7 or 8 blocks in Shaker's 72-63 win. Perhaps more importantly, he showcased his mid-range jumpshot, consistently knocking down jumpers in the 12-17 foot range.

"I feel comfortable shooting the ball," he explains. "I feel like I have a really good shot, and it's one of the things a lot of college coaches really liked about me, my ability to shoot. I think it will give me the opportunity to play more, being able to play 4 or 5 [forward or center] until I get stronger and can play the 5 down low at the ACC level."

Although he believes greater strength will be the key to his college career, Sheehan is clearly not waiting till he arrives in Atlanta to start getting bigger. The most striking thing about him from a physical standpoint - once you get over walking down a hall with someone who has to duck under the doors - is that he's no longer all skin and bones. He seems to have really put on some muscle weight since last season, and it shows in his game.

"I lift during the off-season and two days a week during the season. I definitely feel stronger this year. I feel like I'm able to get better position, and I'm not getting pushed out as easily. I'm able to better hold my position on rebounds. Every once in a while I get pushed out of where I want to be. I just have to get to the point where that doesn’t happen."

Saturday, January 21, 2006

I really don't want to talk about. The Jackets lose to Clemson AT HOME 72-63, as a result of an unbelievable 27 turnovers. Are you kidding me? We outrebounded Clemson 49-27, which just goes to show you that you have to protect the ball. Since I don't want to talk about it much, I'll just let you know what Coach Hewitt had to say:

On the fact that things were looking ok and it all unravelled:

Well, Clemson's effort was better than ours and turnovers played a huge part in determining the outcome of this game. 27 turnovers on our home floor is just inexcusable.

Does Clemson do something differently against the Jackets?

Well, they take a lot of chances. They get out in the passing lanes. There were times we didn't use the pass fake. Using the pass fake would have gotten them into the lane and we would have been able to go backdoor. But they got us a little edgy, we missed a couple of shots, and got a little more anxious instead of reading the defense accurately. We didn't make the right decisions.

On the fact that some turnovers were not forced

That's the whole thing. So many of them were unforced. We talked about their pressue coming into the game and we handled that really well. We got a couple of open three's, we got a dunk out of it. When we attacked their pressure, they sank back into a 2-3 zone, and we got very very predictable. They got in the passing lanes and just did not execute the pass well. We underthrew, overthrew it.

On the 5 point sequence with intentional foul and 3pt shot by Clemson

The young man Powell stepped up and made some big shots in the 1st half. He stretched our defense out a little bit. But again, it gets back to the 27 turnovers. They had 12, we had 27. You can't give another team 15 more possesions and expect to win the game.

How are you getting ready for Wednesday night?

Well, all we can do is practice. We have tomorrow off and we'll get back together on Monday and have a scout report ready for Maryland and go play.

It's been a tough week.

We were up and down and made some poor decisions out there like I said. Instead of pass faking and moving the ball to take advantage of an overplaying defense, we played right into their hands.

I will say one thing. Don't forget that this is the youngest team in the ACC BY FAR! By far. It's not even close. I'll put up some stats later to show you. Anyhow, life goes on. By the way, Thaddeus Young was at the game, as well as Nomar Garciaparra and wife Mia Hamm.

Friday, January 20, 2006

Rule No. 8: Jim Donnan. Anytime Jim Donnan appears on screen, all Georgia fans present must finish their drinks and all Florida, Georgia Tech, or Tennessee fans must raise their glasses in salute to Jim Donnan before taking one drink. Anyone who is not a Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, or Tennessee fan must listen to Jim Donnan's analysis and take as many drinks as necessary to feel as drunk as Jim Donnan sounds.

When Georgia Tech coach Paul Hewitt tells me to remember a name, I remember a name. In this case the name is Mohamed Faye, a 6-foot-8 freshman from Africa who is redshirting because he could not get cleared academically by the NCAA. Hewitt told me Faye is very long and skilled and possesses a great feel for the game. When I asked Hewitt to compare him to another player, he said Faye reminds him of Mike Dunleavy.

I wonder if Faye can also play back-up QB........ because as you know the most popular player on the football team is always the back-up QB. By the time Faye hits the floor next season, he just might be elevated to legendary status.

Wednesday, January 18, 2006

It started ugly. Then it got uglier, and well - it just didn't look like it was gonna pretty up at all. But low and behold the Jackets showed a little fight, a little spirit. Unfortunately they could only get within 8 points after trailing by as much as 28. The hole was just too deep. Wake was desparate for their first ACC victory and they got it with a final of 86-71.

The 1st half was just hard to watch. Lucky for me I was in Albany NY and couldn't watch. It was ugly on the internet too - trust me. A halftime score of 51-28 pretty much ensured that Wake would have to catch group blindness to lose. So how did it get to this at the half? Lackidasical play. Lack of fire. Technically, try 14 turnovers and only 3 assists on 11 first half buckets. Wake, a team prone to turnovers, protected the ball and shot it well. Justin Grey 0-4 inside the arc, 4-4 outside in the first half. Go figure. He ends with 25 points - an off-night. Of course he was only 6-7 beyond the arc.

The 2nd half starting looking up slightly as Morrow came out firing. However, if a 2nd half is being played and Tech fans are no longer listening, did it really happen? Give the Jackets credit. They outscored Wake 43-35 in the half, but still lost by 15.

DEFENSEJust not there. I don't know how active they really were since I couldn't see what was happening, but Wes repeatedly commented early about how sluggish the team looked. Wake Forest 52% overall and 60% from long range. I don't care how you package it - it was not good defense. the NCST game was different - they shot well and hit tough shots. I know Gray hit some monster bombs, but it sounded like they just had a lot of open looks. Eric Williams just kills the Jackets every time we see him. Tonight was no different as he finished with 21 on 9-12 and grabbed 11 boards.

REBOUNDINGWake is a good rebounding team and we still outrebounded them 37-36, which is one of the few encouraging signs. Jeremis Smith led with 10 and the rest were spread out evenly.

OFFENSEHhhhmmmm. We shoot 42% overall and 44% from long range. However, 22 turnovers - 14 in the first half. Shall I repeat it? The team seemed to have a contest over who could have the most turnovers. It was a close race but A-Mo pulled it out:

TURNOVERSA-Mo.....5Dickey...4Buck.....4Diaw.....4Clinch...4Bell.....1

Other than that, A-Mo had a standout night with a career high 29 points (8-15, 6-9 3pt). Clinch chipped in 14 and Jeremis Smith had another double/double with 10/10. However, Smith had a tough night in the paint only shooting 2-10 and also only hitting 6-13 from the charity stripe. But as usual, his motor never stopped and he just kept battling and battling.

BRIGHT SPOTSLewis Clinch and Alade Aminu had very good nights. It's especially good to see Clinch get his game back after the injury as we really need another strong defender and offensive weapon. Clinch had 14 pts (6-12, 2-5 3pt), 4 boards, 4 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, but 4 to's. ...... Aminu did a nice job of filling out the stat sheet with his minutes. He was active defensively and ended with 4 pts (2-4), 3 boards, 2 assists. He helped spark our futile comeback. For a kid in only his 4th season of organized ball you can see a lot of potential.

COACH HEWITT POST-GAME QUOTES:

On the energy:

They came out with a lot more energy than us. They played much more physical than we did. They were 0-3 obviously coming into the game and they played like a team that absolutely had to win, and we played like a team that just showed up and wanted to play basketball, almost like a pick-up game. We didn't come with a purpose and they did.

On the 2nd half:

I think, when you're down by that far, and you just realize how big a hole you've dug for yourself, you start to play with some of that desparation that they came into the game with. I give Alade Aminu an awful lot credit. Jeremis Smith fought and battle the whole game. Lewis Clinch. D'Andre Bell. We had some guys step up and do some things, but the start of the game was inexcusable and really, I'm embarrassed, and I really apologize to all our fans, our students who come out and support this team with a lot of passion.

On Clinch and Aminu:

He (Clinch) is a talented scorer. He's getting his legs back and I think there are some things, just execution of sets that could be improved, but you know, in a game like this it really comes down to the plays you run. It's how you run your plays, whether it's offense or defense - play with energy, play with a lot of pride, which is something that I think he and Alade did, as well as D'Andre Bell.

On running into another hot shooting team:

There were a lot of breakdowns. When you turn the ball over in the middle of the floor you can't defend it. We had two major breakdowns when we backed off of Justin Gray. I think there were 3 times total, 2 in the first half. That's not to take any credit away from Justin Gray and his team, but when you play with a lack of passion like we did in the first half, those things are going to happen. Good players are going to make shots.

Preparation on the next game - focus on Clemson or focus on the Jackets?:

Well, that's the thing with this team. For some reason, once we start to get things going, all of the sudden we slide back. It was very evident from the first two plays, when Eric Williams outran us to get a basket and there was a three when we left Justin Gray alone. It was evident from early in the game that for some reason we just weren't in it mentally. I certainly have to take an awful lot of the blame for that. Obviously we weren't as well prepared as I thought we were. But that's how it goes.

STAT TO KEEP AN EYE ONThe Jackets are now 0-4 when trailing at the half.

MOVING ONTime to head back home and play Clemson. Time to get that ACC record back into positive territory. This is a MUST-WIN game in order to have any post-season hopes. Rest assurred that Clemson will come in hungry, as they were absolutely walloped by Miami tonight and scored a grand total of 38 points.

Georgia Tech officials and James Madison AD Jeff Bourne have made contact about the Tech AD job, although an interview has not been setup. Bourne was an assistant AD at Tech under Dave Braine and actually came with Braine from VaTech as well. Here's a nice story recapping his history and thoughts

"Yeah, I think I need to look at it," said Bourne, who worked at the ACC school for three years before taking the JMU job in 1999. "I’ve been there before, I know the university and the program and the coaches."

The 46-year-old Bourne, who graduated from Bridgewater College in 1981, said he thinks he fits the description of what Georgia Tech is looking for in an A.D.

"I believe they want somebody who they feel has an understanding and a tie to Georgia Tech, who understands the coaches and the expectations of the program and has a sense of the culture at Georgia Tech," he said.

What are those expectations?

"They are literally to compete at the highest levels in the ACC," Bourne said. "They fund their programs competitively. They want to win championships. They want to continue to be at the pinnacle of the ACC programs."

By the way it was Bourne that hired Dean Keener away from Tech to be the JMU head coach (and replace another former Jacket assistant Sherm Dillard).

Tuesday, January 17, 2006

"I don't anticipate any other moves," Gailey said Tuesday after announcing the resignations of David Wilson, the recruiting coordinator and special teams coach, and Tommie Robinson, the tight ends coach.

David Wilson did take a bit of a parting shot at his players

Tech ranked last in the ACC in kickoff coverage last season, and it ranked in the bottom half of the league in punt and kickoff returns.

Wilson took pride in the punt coverage team, which ranked third in the ACC and hasn't allowed a punt to be blocked since 2003.

"You do the best you have with the players available to you," Wilson said. "You see the high point with the punt team and you see the other levels of where they fall below that."

I guess it's not a problem to say stuff like that when you're not planning on getting another coaching job.

Coach Gailey does not plan on making any hires prior to signing day Feb 1.

Remember the recruit that Paul Hewitt took because he was under pressure from the 5/8 rule and he wanted to sign a big man? He took this guy instead of waiting for some kid named Emeka Okafor and the rest, shall I say, is history

After nearly a year in jail, center Michael Southall is putting up all-conference numbers for Louisiana-Lafayette. Louisiana-Lafayette must be proud. This week's Ten for Tuesday went looking for some long-forgotten players and found them ... still playing college basketball. Who knew?

1. Michael Southall: Southall has a rap sheet you wouldn't believe, but there he is, playing for the Ragin' Cajuns. It's probably a coincidence that he has an NBA body (6-foot-10, 236 pounds) and is averaging 14 points, 7.6 rebounds and 3.6 blocks. Here's his rap sheet: Arrested in May 2000 for delivery and possession of marijuana. Arrested in April 2001 for violating his bond by running away from police. (Those two mistakes cost Southall scholarships at Kentucky and Georgia Tech and landed him on three years of probation.) At ULL in 2003 Southall played well but then was suspended for academic reasons and went afoul of his probation by testing positive for alcohol and marijuana, and skipping meetings with his probation counselor. That earned him a sentence of one year in jail. ULL took him back, but the Ragin-Cajuns are just 4-11. To which I say: good.

Georgia Tech will hold its annual Football Signing Day Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 1 in the Heisman Club Lounge at Bobby Dodd Stadium/Grant Field. Head coach Chan Gailey and his staff will discuss Tech's 2006 football signees.

Click here, to purchase tickets, priced at $15. Free parking will be available in Peter's Parking Deck.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with dinner served, and the program begins at 7 p.m. Fans should enter through Gate 9 on Techwood Drive.

DistrictJacket over at the Hive has compiled some stats comparing Jarrett Jack's first 14 games as a starter versus Buck Fredrick's first 14 games. Of course Buck's come as a sophomore, but Jack also didn't have to switch positions either.

Certainly not a dramatic difference if you ask me. I think Buck is "getting it", and you can see his game developing. Quite frankly, it's developing in a fairly short period of time when you consider he just started his first conference slate. Not bad.

As expected, special teams coach and recruiting coordinator David Wilson has "resigned". He has indicated he will leave coaching and work for a charitable organization. In addition, Tight End Coach Tommie Robinson has "resigned" as well. Robinson and Wilson had both been on the staff for 4 years, and Robinson actually played for Gailey at Troy State during their national championship season.

The big question is not about who is departing, but how the assistant coaching jobs will be filled. Let's think about this - special teams was terrible this season and recruiting cannot be labeled an "A" at this point, so letting go of the specials teams coach and recruiting coordinator makes some sense. But what's with the Tight Ends coach? It was certainly a very under-utilized portion of the offense. Maybe the TE development has been too slow and that's way. Maybe this actually makes room for some other coaching moves within the staff. Giff Smith or Patrick Nix would be likely candidates for the recruiting coordinator job in my opinion. Smith did the job for three years at Tulane. Both do a good job in that area and Nix probably wouldn't mind beefing up his resume so he can get a dream job at his alma mater Auburn.

Maybe eliminating a TE coaching job allows Coach Gailey to bring in someone at a "higher" most impactful role on the staff. Maybe we bring in an offensive coordinator finally. Maybe this makes room for Nix to do something else. Maybe not. Maybe we bring in a talented QB coach. Maybe not. Maybe Buddy Geis takes over the QB's since he's had experience there in the past.

Should be interesting to see how this plays out. The bottom-line is that for many Tech fans, some new blood provides hope for change, particularly around the offense. These announcements were certainly not the "blood-letting" that some would have preferred, but again, let's see what happens now.......

There's been a a lot of discussion about our "International Man of Mystery" Mouhammad Faye, but the problem is that very few people have actually seen him play. I have a small treat - we have contacts with people who HAVE seen him play. Here's what we have heard about his time with the team so far:

SIZE / ATHLETICISMFaye is about 6'8" - 6'9" and on the light side. He needs to add muscle and strength. However, he has a wingspan over 7'. He is a very athletic guy with good jumping ability and is quick off the floor.

FAYE THE PERSONLike Paco Diaw, Faye speaks about 4 different languages. Once he got good grades in the fall, the NCAA gave him his eligibility for next season. He is now on scholarship. He's no dummy for sure and the main issue as we reported last fall was the acceptance / transfer of credits of some of his foreign classes.

DEFENSIVELYFaye seems to be a guy who can probably guard the 2-4 spots. He's long, quick and athletic, fitting the mold of the kind of players that Coach likes. Evidently he has an excellent work ethic and plays hard, so his defense under Hewitt's system should be good.

OFFENSIVE SKILLSFaye is a very versatile player and his offensive skills are more developed than say Paco Diaw. He can shoot the 3pt shot and he can play the post and mix it up underneath. While he has some back-to-the-basket skills down low, he is more of a face-up offensive player. The best description for him is probably a versatile shooting forward. His ball handling skills are average.

COMPARISONS?Coach Hewitt actually compared him at a recent call-in show to Thaddeus Young. However, it's safe to say that his skills are a pretty large notch below badThad's. He was probably talking about his physical attributes as much as anything and the type of game he plays. He's also not as strong as Thad.

CONCLUSIONThe sad truth is that Faye could have had a much larger impact this season had he been eligible than when we see him next season. With the arrival of Thaddeus Young, there are not likley to be large minutes for Faye. He will be a solid guy to bring off the bench next season and another base-building guy for the next 4 years. The truth is that next season very well might be THE deepest team in the history of Georgia Tech: Let's look:

To get a sense of some of Bill Curry's thoughts I thought I would link for you all of the columns that Curry has written for ESPN. I understand that many of these articles require in ESPN Insider account. However, there are some very interesting things here and I haven't read most of them. For your viewing pleasure. What nuggets can you find?

Bill Curry: League of legends Bobby Bowden and Joe Paterno are two of the winningest coaches in college football history. But how they got there is the real story.Bill Curry, ESPN.com December 29, 2005Bill Curry: Redemption bowlsFrom toilet bowls to redemption bowls to the games themselves, there's a lot to look forward to this weekend, writes Bill Curry.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 1, 2005Bill Curry: Novak's happy ThanksgivingCoach Joe Novak and Northern Illinois is a feel-good story worthy of a movie, Bill Curry writes.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 25, 2005Bill Curry: Tribal lawAs we prepare for rivalry games this weekend, remember that these contests are not only about football but also about tribes, writes Bill Curry.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 17, 2005Bill Curry: Mind gamesForget about the X's and O's this weekend. Steve Spurrier's biggest challenge against Florida will be psychological.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 10, 2005Bill Curry: Comeback addictionUCLA's hooked on the comeback drug. But if the Bruins are going to be champs, they must overcome the addiction.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 3, 2005Bill Curry: The messiah progressionUrban Meyer is the most recent of a long line of program saviors. As with many coaches before him, Meyer's SEC baptism is progressing through the usual stages.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 27, 2005Curry: Going homeThe Orioles won the Leo Mazzone Sweepstakes with a terrific contract, but his heart was stolen long ago by Baltimore.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 21, 2005Curry: Going homeThe Orioles won the Leo Mazzone Sweepstakes with a terrific contract, but his heart was stolen long ago by Baltimore.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 21, 2005Bill Curry: Focus, focusHow do teams play well in big games and become champions? It all comes down to how the players and coaches channel their focus.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 20, 2005Bill Curry: The Game of the CenturyUSC has been there and done that in big games. In this, the latest "game of the century", the Irish have to focus on the game itself, rather than the magnitude of it.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 13, 2005Bill Curry: The Tipping PointThe Red River Rivalry is among the most intense in the nation. Just ask OU's Bob Stoops and Texas' Mack Brown, whose legacies are entwined with this game.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 6, 2005Bill Curry: Positive Attitude TechniqueKansas, Baylor, Indiana and Vanderbilt are all undefeated heading into October. It all starts with the right kind of attitude.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 29, 2005Bill Curry: More than just a gameIt's said football is just a game, but it's so much more than that. Football, at its very core, teaches players how to deal with life, writes Bill Curry.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 22, 2005Bill Curry: Keeping the faithDanny Wuerffel won titles and trophies, but his work in New Orleans will have an eternal impact.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 15, 2005Bill Curry: Stay tunedWith the attention Texas-Ohio State is receiving, you can expect to see more Goliath vs. Goliath matchups in the future.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 8, 2005Bill Curry: The Fall of TroyWhile everyone is all but handing USC a third straight national title, Bill Curry believes the Trojans have too many obstacles in their path to threepeat.Bill Curry , Special to ESPN.com August 30, 2005Curry: Bold leadersWith the distractions facing today's players, only the most effective leaders can maintain their teams's focus.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 2, 2004Curry: Iron filingsThe rivalry between in-state foes Alabama and Auburn is a important to the state as education, politics and religion.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 18, 2004Curry: Dare to be greatThe best coaches in football become great because the dare to fail and are true to their convictions.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 11, 2004Curry: Mourning a lossFor competitors addicted to the victory drug, mourning a loss is something akin to grieving for the deceased.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 4, 2004Curry: Fragile freshmenFreshmen are making their presence felt this year, but don't forget they're really just 18-year-old kids.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 28, 2004Curry: The grudge factorHolding grudges has long been a part of both the human condition and college football.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 21, 2004Curry: Great expectationsFrom Georiga to Florida State to Southern California, players and coaches are saddled with high expectations.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 14, 2004Curry: Streaks overexposedOverexposure -- for the wrong reasons -- has people questioning Mack Brown of Texas and Phil Fulmer of Tennessee.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 7, 2004Curry: UT, Auburn are readyAfter offseasons full of turmoil Tennessee and Auburn are ready for some real SEC football.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 30, 2004Curry: Bowdens grieve, fans still ventTommy and Bobby will play the latest Bowden Bowl this weekend, but football is not their biggest concern.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 23, 2004Curry: LSU, Auburn still mysteriesWeather permitting, LSU and Auburn will find out this weekend what they're really made of.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 16, 2004Curry: Miami has 'it' vs. FSUFlorida State and Miami are at it yet again, but the Seminoles must crack the Hurricanes' aura of invincibility.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 9, 2004Curry: Pac-10 awardsSure, there are other teams in the Pac-10, but USC is head-and-shoulders above the rest right now.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 23, 2004Curry: Independent awardsMemphis has a star on each side of the ball and looks like the last champion of C-USA as we know it.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 21, 2004Curry: C-USA awardsMemphis has a star on each side of the ball and looks like the last champion of C-USA as we know it.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 20, 2004Curry: Big East awardsWest Virginia is the class of the revamped Big East, but Connecticut has a chance to make noise.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 17, 2004Curry: Starting OverThere is nothing quite like being a new coach and having that perfect (0-0) record.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 12, 2004Curry: Making The QBConfidence, innate leadership abilities, great position coaches and talent all go into making a great quarterback.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 9, 2004Curry: A gambling cultureA coach can deter most of his players from gambling, but societal messages can lead some to become snagged by debt.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com May 13, 2004Curry: Beginning of changeThe increased role of college presidents in straightening out their athletic departments is good for everyone.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com February 11, 2004Curry: Rose always the goal for USC, MichiganBCS controversy or not, the Rose Bowl is always the ultimate goal for USC and Michigan.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 30, 2003Curry: Stoops, Saban playing mind gamesBob Stoops and Nick Saban are facing unique challenges in preparing for the biggest game of the year.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 30, 2003Curry: Two championship gamesInstead of yelling about how good a playoff would be, let's focus on what might be the best two-game set ever.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 30, 2003

ESPN Podcast Bill CurryESPN's Bill Curry thinks Vince Young's performance last night was the best... Listen »January 5, 2006Curry: SEC ready for Round 2LSU has the statistical edge in its rematch with Georgia, but the Bulldogs are getting healthy at the right time.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 3, 2003Curry: Croom's guiding handHow prepared is Sylvester Croom to coach in the SEC? A look at his upbringing tells you all you need to know.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 2, 2003Curry: Can Tech get revenge?The college football rivalry is a complicated thing for various reasons. Georgia and Georgia Tech know exactly why.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 26, 2003Curry: Saban's psychologyOle Miss is playing its biggest game in 50 years, but it's just another Saturday to Nick Saban and LSU.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 20, 2003Curry: Tiller balance vs. Tressel balanceBalance has become the football buzz word of the new millennium, but it can mean different things.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 13, 2003Curry's Game Plan: Navy-Notre DameEyeing its first win over Notre Dame in 39 years, Navy takes its triple-option attack to South Bend on Saturday.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 6, 2003Curry: Seeking redemptionVirginia Tech is hoping to redeem itself and its coach, while Miami will look to its special leaders on Saturday.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 30, 2003Curry: Stay FocusedBowling Green may be out for revenge against NIU, but there are more important things to worry about.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 23, 2003Curry: Changing of the guardThe success of Purdue and Wisconsin may be rearranging the way things are in the Big Ten.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 15, 2003Curry: No. 2 Miami vs. No. 5 Florida StateYou can learn a lot about a team by watching a Thursday practice, and sitting in at Miami and Florida State this week would be quite a treat.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 9, 2003Curry: No. 14 Kansas State vs. No. 13 TexasMack Brown and Texas are hoping one of the best assistants in the country can get the Longhorn running game in gear against Kansas State.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 2, 2003Curry: Remembering George PlimptonWith the death of George Plimpton, I have not only lost one of my best friends, I have lost the most interesting man I ever knew.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 27, 2003Game plan: No. 14 Arkansas vs. AlabamaMike Shula is proving himself under trying circumstances, while Houston Nutt has already shown tremendous leadership.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 17, 2003Game plan: No. 14 Notre Dame vs. No. 7 MichiganBoth Notre Dame and Michigan come into Saturday's showdown in Ann Arbor facing many of the same questions.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 11, 2003Game plan: No. 18 Florida vs. No. 3 MiamiBoth Ron Zook and Larry Coker face unique challenges in readying their teams for Saturday's rivalry game in the Orange Bowl.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 3, 2003Game plan: No. 8 USC vs. No. 6 AuburnThe heat and humidity could make the home field a true advantage for Auburn against USC.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 27, 2003Curry: SEC a family affairThe SEC football family is gearing up for a four-month family reunion, and no one knows what to expect.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 18, 2003Curry: The Crimson MetamorphosisThe Alabama football coach simply cannot make a move without being seen, heard and judged. Mike Price learned that lesson the hard way.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com May 3, 2003Curry: Great homecoming for RileyMike Riley, the self-proclaimed "gym rat from Corvallis," is coming home again -- this time to stay.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com February 20, 2003Gameplan: No. 14 Virginia Tech at No. 1 MiamiThe 'Canes must be sound in the kicking game if they want to beat the Hokies on Saturday.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 4, 2002Curry: The Third SeasonFew people face as much public scrutiny as those in the coaching community.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 27, 2002Gameplan: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 6 USCESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Notre Dame-USC matchup.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 27, 2002Gameplan: No. 9 Michigan vs. No. 2 Ohio StateESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Michigan-Ohio State matchup.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 14, 2002Gameplan: No. 1 Miami at TennesseeESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Miami-Tennessee matchup.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com November 7, 2002Gameplan: No. 17 Arizona State at No. 9 Washington StateESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Arizona State-Washington State matchup.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 30, 2002Gameplan: No. 17 Penn State at No. 4 Ohio StateESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Penn State-Ohio State matchup.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 23, 2002Gameplan: No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 15 Air ForceESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Notre Dame-Air Force matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 17, 2002Gameplan: No. 12 Florida State at No. 1 MiamiESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down Saturday's Florida St.-Miami. matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 10, 2002Gameplan: No. 20 USC at No. 17 Washington St.ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down the USC-Washington St. matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com October 2, 2002Gameplan: No. 19 Nebraska at No. 21 Iowa St.ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down the Nebraska-Iowa St. matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 25, 2002Gameplan: No. 11 Washington St. at No. 8 Ohio St.ESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down the Washington St.-Ohio St. matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 12, 2002Curry: Unitas was real, but a giant among menESPN college football analyst Bill Curry, a former NFL center, remembers his former teammate John Unitas.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 12, 2002Gameplan: No. 1 Miami at No. 6 FloridaESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down the Miami-Florida matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com September 4, 2002Gameplan: Notre Dame vs. MarylandESPN college football analyst Bill Curry breaks down the Notre Dame-Maryland matchupBill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 28, 2002Curry: On Zook's "Coachspeak"Florida coach Ron Zook employs a language very few understand: "Coachspeak."Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 6, 2002Curry: Gailey must stifle NFL gremlinsGremlin banishment is a prime prerequisite for good coaches, and I believe Chan Gailey can pull it off.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com August 6, 2002Curry: Title IX matters to everyoneA former college football coach and current analyst for the sport embraces the passion brought on by Title IX.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com July 3, 2002Curry: Title IX matters to everyoneA former college football coach and current analyst for the sport embraces the passion brought on by Title IX.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com June 23, 2002Curry: Respond accordinglyAlabama and Kentucky did not arrive where they are by accident. They failed to respond correctly.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com February 1, 2002Curry: Irish moved too fastNotre Dame learned a hard lesson with O'Leary -- the 'quick fix' philosophy does not work.Bill Curry, Special to ESPN.com December 15, 2001ESPN Podcast Bill CurryBrett Favre has earned the right to play as long as he wants with the Packers for all that he's done for that franchise. Also Bill says that Joe Paterno deserved the coach of the year award. After four losing seasons, it's amazing Penn State could... Listen »December 21, 2005